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| How did you go about getting your current job? |
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It was a career I was always interested in. I submitted a written application form which I was then selected from and called for interview. On completion of this interview I was then selected and called for a second interview, psychometric testing, medicals and a fitness test. The offer arrived the same day as the CAO offers.
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| Describe a typical day? |
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A typical day is not necessarily typical at Sea, a whole range of different tasks need to be undertaken depending on the plan of the day and patrol requirements.
From being responsible for a Navigational Watch to being in charge of a gunnery shoot or leading a boarding party on a fisheries boarding... these are only some of the tasks a Posted Officer at sea is required to do on a daily basis. Also you are in charge of a division, on my last ship I was responsible for 23 people spread over four divisions Seaman’s, Comm’s, Cooks, and Supplies.
Ashore now I am in Charge of a Potential NCO’s Course. This is a six month career course where there are 39 students, who on completion of the six months will be promoted from Able rank to Leading Hand Rank.
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| What are the main challenges? |
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The challenges are many and varied, again any number can arise during a patrol or even over a day, from someone in your division who faces a domestic problem that needs advice/help, adverse weather or a search and rescue situation which requires everyone’s complete concentration.
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| What's cool? |
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Anything with a bit of adrenalin attached is cool. Whether it is boarding a trawler in very bad weather, a gunnery shoot, exercising ships gunners. Approaching a port with a large concentration of traffic, anything that is challenging really.
Also the opportunity to travel the world, though my career to date I have been lucky enough to have been to many different places, from Singapore to L.A. Argentina, Hong Kong, India and Egypt.
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| What's not so cool? |
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The time away from home is definitely an endurance. It can be hard at times to be away especially if something has happened at home or even missing a family event. But that being said, If it is something very important or an emergency of some kind, relief’s will be made available and time off granted
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| What particular skills do you bring to your workplace? |
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I believe that I am dedicated, loyal and hardworking. Also I am able to think quickly on my feet and make sound judgements when it is required. These are qualities that I believe are necessary for a career at sea.
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| What are the main tasks and responsibilities? |
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My main tasks and responsibilities at the moment are a group of 39 servicemen and women who are currently on a Potential NCO's (Non commissioned Officer's) course. This is a career course which is six (6) months in duration, at the end of which successful students will be promoted within there individual branch. I am in charge of this course at the moment, on this course I have a staff of three senior NCO's.
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